Why Is Professional Development Important for Educators?

Recently, I had a conversation with a community member about the importance of providing ongoing, high-quality professional development to educators. This person didn’t understand how important this aspect of education can be. The benefits far outweigh the cost. When we invest in our staff, they are able to learn new skills, build more confidence in themselves, and it can reduce stress on the staff.  

There is no way an education prep program can fully prepare an educator for all that they need to learn in order to run a successful classroom, due to the time constraints of a four-year program. When districts are strategic in designing and facilitating professional development, educators are able to grow their skills over the years.

In today’s classrooms, educators are often faced with a multitude of scenarios that can cause them to question their ability to teach.  When educators are given the opportunity to participate in on-going, high quality professional development, they are able to continue to build their confidence in their skill set.

Educators can thrive better when they have the opportunity to talk to their peers in learning new techniques. It can help them realize that they might not be the only ones struggling with something in a classroom. This can lead to a reduction in staff stress, which in turn can lead to less turnover in staffing each year. 

What might you do in your role within your school or district?  

• Help set the vision for professional development
• Ensure the professional development is connected to the district’s strategic plan and priorities
• Prioritize funding for professional development; and/or monitor the impact the professional development is having on student learning.

AASB has a wealth of support for educators to continue to build their skills through the Alaska Family Engagement Center (eferry@aasb.org), Project Transform (malrich@aasb.org), and Youth Development Work (cplesa@aasb.org). Please reach out to us with questions on how we can best support your educators.